Expert: Curtis Thorsen - 2/12/2002

Question
We are sheduled for a trip in June with a family group of 13. Any suggestions as to day trips and what is worth the money they charge vs getting off the ship and going on your own with a local. We are going to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozamel and Key West. We want to snorkel at least once, maybe horseback ride and sightseeing. Any suggestioins on the ship itself?
Thanks, Donna

Answer
Hi Donna... you selected a wonderful ship to sail on. Be prepared for EXCELLENT SERVICE, MEALS, and ACCOMMODATIONS. The only negative I have found with Celebrity is their entertainment. It just is not up to par with RCCL(odd since they own Celebrity !), Princess, or even Carnival.

If you have never been to the ports of call you will be visiting, I would suggest staying with the shore tours offered by the cruiseline. By doing so you are assured of a good tour and dependable vendors that they contract with. Plus in the event that a tour is not what is expected, you have the cruiseline to go back to for a refund.... on your own... good luck in accomplishing this ! The cruiseline are very paticuliar with the vendors they use and if they are not up to par, the cruiseline will drop them and find a vendor that meets their standards. To me, it is worth the minimal cost differences.

Ocho Rios... Do Dunns River Falls.....but prepare for high pressure from locals to buy their wares ! Shopping is ok, but not great here !

Grand Caymen..... "Sting Ray City" is a MUST DO ! You get to snorkel and interact w/ stingrays... if you dont do this tour, you will wish you had ! Shopping VERY PRICEY in Grand Caymen.....dont expect baragins here ! Snorkelling, try 7 mile beach. breathtaking beach and water !

Cozumel......Think Carlos and Charlies for a great drink and dancing till the wee hours of the morning ! It does get rowdy here. the later it gets... the nore (x) rated it becomes ! Good food there too ! For snorkelling....Chaakanab National Park is a great place to relax on a beach w/ a cold corona while you bask in the sun ! Also, there is a great jeep tour you may want to consider.....it includes a rough drive over the terrain of Coz and a stop at some myan ruins followed by lunch on the beach and snorkelling or playing in the waves !

Key West..... ver eclectic port of call... great walking tours... you can do this island on your own. Just take the tram to downtown and start shopping, walking and taking in the sghts of the beautiful homes all around. There is a great aquarium and nautical museum as well. Visit Sloppy Joes bar and grill where Hemingway wrote many of his stories,and novels.

Your itinerary is really geared toward sun and fun and water activities.

Have a GREAT CRUISE w/ family and friends... you will love the ship as I and my clients have in the past I am sure !

Safe Travels.......

Curtis Thorsen
President
Cruise & Resort Connection, Inc.
1-888-482-7215  TOLL FREE
e-mail: fun2cruiz@aol.com